High-pressure steam generator



Jne 1,1943-` J. P. BADENHAusl-:N 2,320,503

HIGH PRESSURE STEAM GENERATOR Filed Jan; 8, 1942 s sheetssheet 1 June 1, 1943. J. P. BADENHAUSEN 2,320,503

HIGH PRESSURE STEAM GENERATOR Filed Jan. 8, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 1, 1943 J. P. BADENHAUSEN 2,320,503

HIGH PRESSURE STEAM GENERATOR Filed Jan. 8, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 1, 1943 UNITED STATES @TENT OFFICE HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM GENERATGR John Phillips Badenhausen, Philadelphia, Pa. Application January 8, 1942, Serial No. 425,953

7 Claims.

This invention relates to high pressure steam generators, and more particularly to a high pressure steam generator in which the necessity for any drums is eliminated.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a steam generator for operation at very high pressures and which is simple in its construction and compact in its arrangement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam generator for operation at very high pressures and with adequate provisions for circulating the fluid within the steam generator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam generator for operation at very high pressures and in which a portion of the energy in the steam is utilized for maintaining circulation of the fluid within the steam generator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam generator for operation at very high pressures and in which the rate of circulation of the fluid within the steam generator is or may be increased with increase in the steam output.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the annexed specification and claims.

The lnature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, i-n which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view through a preferred embodiment of the steam generator of the present invention, and taken approximately on the line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing a preferred form of circulator; and

Fig. 4 is a view showing a modified form or circulator.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The steam generator of the present invention is particularly intended for use with very high pressure steam, at pressures in excess of 1,000 lbs. per square inch, and to and beyond pressures of 3,000 lbs. per square inch, and a steam generator is provided which does not require any drums for the water or for the steam and water.. Adequate provision is also made for circulating the water within the steam generator.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in the preferred embodiment of the steam generator of the present invention therein illustrated, a horizontal top wall I0 is provided together with vertical side walls I I and I2, a vertical front wall I3 and a horizontal bottom wall I4. Spaced from and parallel to the front wall I3, a downwardly extending baie I5 is provided, the lower end of the baflie I5 being spaced from the bottom wall I4 to permit gas flow therearound. The baille I5 provides, with the forward portions of the top wall I0, the side walls Il and I2, and the bottom wall I4 and with the front wall I3, a combustion space IS.

Suitable burners I 'I are provided in the top wall v I 0 for down firing of pulverized coal, oil, or other suitable fuel, with air, for combustion within the combustion space I6.

At the lower part of the front wall I3, a lower horizontal header 20 is provided and, at the upper part of the front wall I3, an upper horizontal header 2| is provided. A bank of steam generating riser tubes 22 extends from the lower header 2li to the upper header 2l, and lines the front wall I3.

The side walls I I and I2 are each provided with lower horizontal side wall headers 23 and upper horizontal side wall headers 24. Banks of steam generating riser tubes 25 connect the respective lower and upper headers 23 and 24, and line the respective side walls II and I2.

A plurality of vertically disposed header elements 39 are employed, and are spaced to the rear of the baiile I5 a sufficient distance t-o provide an upward pass for the gases from the combustion space I 6. To the rear of the vertical header elements 30, a wall or baffle 3i is provided which extends upwardly from the bottom wall I4 and the upper end of which is spaced downwardly from the top wall I0 to permit the flow of gases of combustion thereover. The vertical header elements 30 are arranged substantial* ly parallel along the wall or baille 3| and in spaced relationship between the side wall II and the side wall I2, and preferably extend upwardly from the bottom wall I4 and through and beyond the top wall I 0 for purposes hereinafter explained. Removable closures 32 are mounted on the upper ends of each of the vertical header elements 3U, through which access to the interior may be had.

The upper front header 2I is connected to the vertical header elements 3U by steam generatingy tubes 33 which line the top wall lil, and which are shaped where necessary to avoid any interference with the burners il.

.A bank of steam generating tubes 3d is provided at the upper portion of each side wall Il and l2 for connecting the upper side wall headers 24 to the vertical header elements 3S at each side for the delivery of fluid thereto.

The vertical header elements 30 are connected to the lower side wall headers 23 by banks of tubes 35 for the delivery of water from the vertical header elements 3i] to the lower side wall headers 23. The vertical header elements Sil are also respectively connected by a bank of tubes 36 along the bottom wall I4 to the lower front wall header 29 for the delivery of water thereto.

In the space between the rear baille i of the combustion chamber I5 and the upwardly extending wall or baille 3l, groups of steam generating tubes 35 are provided for each vertical header element 33. These groups of tubes 35 preferably consist of bent tubes extending at predetermined levels toward the baille and then upwardly within the space, and then at other predetermined levels extend into communication with the interior of the vertical header ele ments 30.- While'the tubesof the groups of steam generating tubes 35 may be disposed in any desired manner, the tubes 35a which are connected at the lowermost level of connection to the vertical header elements 3l) and at the uppermost level to the vertical `heather elements 30 are preferably disposd over their vertical extent closest to the baille l5. The tubes 351 connected to the vertical header elements 3G at the next higher level of connection at the bottom and the next lower level of connection at the top are preferably spaced rearwardly from the baille l5 and the tubes 35a, the same rearwardly spaced arrangement being followed for each respective level of connection toY the vertical header elements 30. The tubes 35 at each level extend outwardly from the header elements 30 in a manner to permit of proper connection to the vertical header elements 30, and also to secure the proper disposition of the tubes 35 within the upward pass.

The upper ends of the vertical header elements 30 are connected by suitable pipes 35 toa superheater header 31 from which header superheater tubes 38 extend downwardly and then upwardly within the upward pass, the superheater tubes 38 also being connected to a superheater header 39 from which the superheated steam is with drawn.

While the steam generator, as heretofore described, may be satisfactory for relatively low pressures, for pressures of the range in which the steam generator is intended to operate provision is made for positively circulating the fluid within the steam generator. The water is forced downwardly within the vertical header elements 30, and for this purpose each vertical header element 30 is preferablyv provided with a circulator of any desired construction, but preferably of'a relatively simple character to avoid the necessity for adjustment or for repairs.

One form of circulator is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and is preferably carried by the closure 32 and removable therewith as a unit. The circulator preferably includes a sleeve 60 secured to the upper closure 32 and capable of insertion into and removal from the vertical header elements 36 for repair and for replacement. A

prime mover, such as a tur ine or motor', is mounted and supported by each sleeve G0. Each sleeve til preferably has an opening Si therein to permit the discharge of steam from the interior of the sleeve to the superheater connection pipe 35, and also preferably has an opening S2 to permit the discharge, into the interior of the sleeve Si), of steam from the tubes 3d and 35. The prime movers preferably include stator and rotor portions i3 and 4l mounted above the uppermost level of connection of the tubes 33, 34 an 35, and below the superheater connection pipes 33, the stator portions d being secured to the sleeve El), and the rotor portions 4l being connected to shafts 152 mounted in suitable bearing supports 43, carried by each `sleeve El), and bearing supports Se carried by each closure 32.

At the lower end of the sha-its 122, pumps M are provided so that upon operation of the prime movers 4l, the pumps 4- are driven by the shafts 4Z for forcing the water downwardly within the vertical header elements 30.

It will be noted that the effective pumping action of the pumps 44 will be determined by the volume of steam passing through the prime movers fifi, 4l, to the superheater so that as the demand for steam is increased the positive circulating action of the water in the steam generator will also be increased.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig, 4;, a different forni of circulator is employed and is located at the lower portions of each vof the vertical header elements 3E. The cireulators include prime movers fifi of any desired type, such for example, as controllable speed electric motors, for driving shafts 43 supported in bearn ings 4l and extending upwardly within the vertical headers it. Pumps M are mounted on the upper ends of the shafts All for effecting positive downward circulation of the water within the vertical header elements 3G, in accordance with the speed of rotation of the motors 45 as determined by the steam demand.

The steam generator may also include, as an integral part thereof, an economiser' 50 for receiving the gases discharged from the boiler section and over the upper end of the wall or baille 3l, and is disposed in a downward pass between the wall or baille 3l and a wall or baille 5l. The economizer 50 is connected by pipes 52 to the vertical header elements 33 for the delivery of heated water thereto.

An air preheater 53 may also be provided for receiving the exhaust combustion gases from the economizer 50 :for preheating the air, introduced with the fuel, for combustion.

The mode of operation will, it is thought, be apparent from the foregoing` It may, however be noted that the fuel introduced. downwardly through the burners l1 into the combustion space I6 burns therein, and the heat released by the combustion is effective for generating steam in the tubes lining the walls of the combustion space. These tubes include the banks of tubes 22 on the front wall and the banks of tubes 25 on the side walls. The gases of combustion pass downwardly within the combustion space i6 and aroundfthe lower end of the wall or baille i5 and upwardly in the upward pass where further quantities of heat are given up to the tubes 35, to the superheater tubes 38, and to the vertical header elements 3B. The gases of combustion then pass between the vertical header elements 30 and downwardly within the economiser 5D where further quantities of heat are given up. From the lower part of the economizer i) the gases pass upwardly through the air preheater 53 and are discharged in the well known manner to the stack. The steam generated in the water cooled walls of the combustion space i6 and the steam generated in the tubes 35 in the upward pass is discharged into the upper portion of the vertical header elements 30. vertical header elements by the steam falls by gravity from the steam and the steam passes upwardly in the vertical header elements 30 and through the pipes 36 to the superheater header 31, and therefrom through the superheater tubes 38 to the superheater header 39.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the steam demand is directly effective for causing positive downward circulation of the water within the vertical header elements 30, while in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, positive downward circulation of the water within the Vertical headers 30 is effected by the pump 44, in accordance with the speed of the motor as controlled by steam demand or by the boiler attendant.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a steam generator embodying the utmost simplicity in construction with adequate provision for circulation in accordance with the steam demands. and with drums and the like rendered wholly unnecessary.

I claim:

l. In a steam generator, enclosing walls pro- Viding a combustion chamber, banks of tubes for lining said walls and for generating steam, a Vertical baille spaced from said combustion chamber to provide a pass for the gases from said combustion chambery a plurality of spaced Vertical header elements adjacent said baille, the aforesaid banks of tubes being connected to said vertical header elements for discharging steam there-- to and for receiving water therefrom, banks of steam generating tubes within said pass and eX- tending from lower portions of said vertical header elements to upper portions thereof, and circulating means for inducing downward circulation of water in said Vertical header elements. 2. In a steam generator, enclosing walls providing a combustion chamber, banks of tubes for 1ining said walls and for generating steam, a vertical baille spaced from said combustion chamber to provide a pass for the gases from said combustion chamber, a plurality of spaced vertical header elements extending along said baille, the aforesaid banks of wall tubes being connected to said vertical header elements for discharging steam thereto and for receiving water therefrom, banks of steam generating tubes within said pass and extending from lower portions of said vertical header elements to upper portions thereof, and circulating means responsive to the steam demand on the steam generator for inn ducing downward circulation of water in said vertical header elements.

3. In a steam generator, enclosing walls providing a combustion chamber, banks of tubes for lining said walls and for generating steam, a vertical baille spaced from said combustion chamber to provide a pass for the gases from said combustion chamber, a plurality of spaced vertical header elements in said pass, the aforesaid banks of tubes being connected to said vertical header elements for discharging steam thereto and for receiving water therefrom, banks of steam generating tubes within said pass and extending Any water carried into the CTI from lower portions of said vertical header elements to upper portions thereof, a superheater connected to said vertical header elements above the connections of said banks of tubes and circulating means in said 'vertical header elements for maintaining downward circulation of water in said vertical header elements, said circulating means including steam driven motor members interposed between said superheater connections and said other connections and pump members operated thereby and disposed below said other connections.

4. In a drumless steam generator, enclosing walls providing a combustion chamber, banks of tubes for lining said walls and for generating steam, a plurality of spaced vertical header elements, a baille extending along said vertical header elements, said vertical header elements and baille being spaced from said combustion chamber to provide a pass for the gases from said combustion chamber, the aforesaid banks of tubes being connected to said vertical header elements for discharging steam thereto and for receiving water therefrom, and banks of steam generating tubes within said pass and extending from lower portions of said vertical header elements to upper portions thereof.

5. In a drumless steam generator, front, rear, top and side walls providing a combustion chamber, banks of tubes for lining certain of said walls and for generating steam, a baille spaced from the rear wall of said combustion chamber to provide a pass for the gases from said combustion chamber, a plurality of spaced vertical header elements in said pass, the aforesaid banks of tubes being connected to said vertical header elements at the upper portions thereof for discharging steam thereto and being connected to said vertical header elements at the lower portions thereof for receiving water therefrom, and banks of steam generating tubes within said pass and extending from lower portions of said vertical header elements to upper portions thereof.

6. In a drumless steam generator, a top wall provided with burners, a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall, banks of tubes for lining said walls and for generating steam, a rear wall for providing with said other walls a combustion chamber for the fuel supplied through said burners, a vertical baille spaced from the rear wall of said combustion cham-ber to provide an upward pass for the gases from said combustion chamber, a plurality of spaced Vertical header elements in said upward pass, the aforesaid banks of tubes being connected to said vertical header elements for discharging steam thereto at the upper portions thereof and for receiving water therefrom at the lower portions thereof, banks of steam generating tubes within said upward pass and extending from lower portions of said vertical header elements to upper portions thereof, a superheater connected to said vertical header elements above the connections of said banks of tubes, and circulating means in said vertical header elements for maintaining downward circulation of water in said vertical header elements.

7. In a drumless steam generator a combustion chamber, banks of tubes for lining the walls of said combustion chamber and for generating steam, a baille spaced from said combustion chamber, a plurality of spaced vertical header elements spaced from said combustion chamber and disposed along said baille and providing with said baille an upward pass for the gases from said combustion chamber, the aforesaid banks of tubes being connected to said vertical header elements for discharging steam thereto and Vfor receiving water therefrom,ibanks of steam generating tubes within said pass and extending from lower portions of said Vertical header elements to upper portions thereof, a superheater connected to-said vertical header elements above the connections of said banks of tubes, and circulating means in asedsos said vertical header elements for maintaining header elements, said circulating means including steam driven motor members interposed between said superheater connections and said other connections and pump members driven thereby and disposed below said other connections.

JOHN PHILLIPS BADENHriUSEN. 

